The FASD Success Show
Jeff Noble thought he knew all about FASD... until he became a full time FASD Foster Parent. Fast forward to now. Jeff has been coast to coast and from one side of the earth to the other talking, teaching and learning about FASD with other Caregivers, Front Line Staff and anyone who might sit and listen to him. In The FASD SUCCESS SHOW, Jeff and his gang of FASD Insiders will talk about FASD in a real way so that you can learn how to deal and cope with FASD in REAL life, to be a better advocate and a more confident caregiver. Jeff is going to tackle all the hot topics like FASD and aggression, sleep, hygiene, the education system, meltdowns and working with professionals. Pretty much all the things you need to know so that you can focus on being a happy, balanced caregiver. Jeff will make you laugh, he will make you think, but mostly he will give you hope that you CAN do this. Hit subscribe and get ready to transform into the FASD Caregiver you know you can be.
The FASD Success Show
#023 Barb Clark talks FASD, Rages and Trauma Informed Care
Today we dive deep into an area that takes a lot of soul searching, but sometimes is necessary to preserve relationships and the family: residential care and group homes. We talk with a caregiver not only on the front lines of parenting an individual with FASD and trauma – but in the midst of the riots in Minnesota: Barb Clark is a Parent Support and Training Specialist with the North American Council on Adoptable Children, FASD Consultant and parent of four adopted children, including one with FASD.
Barb and her husband went from trying to teach the FASD out of their daughter:
“We thought we were these amazing strict parents.”
to
“Once the cloud cover of trauma cleared, and the constant fog of trauma was lifted, we were able to have a better relationship with her.”
In this podcast we unpack the journey between these two points:
- How professionals told Barb she was paranoid and how bad advice made things worse;
- What parenting fails and early strategies she used before becoming FASD and trauma informed;
- The escalation of behaviour that led to the heart wrenching decision to place her daughter in a residential treatment program and eventually a group home;
- The initial guilt and grief that turned into a deeper relationship with her daughter, as she thrives in a highly structured and secure environment that is not possible in a family home; and
- How her daughter’s rage in the car turned into a conversation with another individual on the Spectrum which led to the best article on rages I’ve ever read. (And we share it with you).
“If they are not judging you, you are not parenting these kids right.”
You’ll definitely want to hear Barb’s unique parenting perspective, but also her reflections on:
- what she wished she would have been told early on about FASD;
- the most effective intervention and therapy for individuals on the Spectrum; and
- her best advice for other caregivers and her hope for her daughter’s future.
Barb not only has a deeply moving story that will be familiar to caregivers, but we talk about how her passion for helping others really shines through in not only her work at NACAC but as an FASD Consultant.